title: Effectiveness of thrice weekly ezetimibe.
abstract: Ezetimibe is usually dosed daily, but its 22-hour elimination half-life permits significant cholesterol reduction with less frequent dosing. The aim of this study was to examine lipid changes in 33 patients treated with thrice-weekly ezetimibe for > or =1 month, who had pre- and postezetimibe lipid levels and no other concurrent changes in their lipid treatment. Ninety-four percent of the patients were treated with ezetimibe because they experienced myalgias, elevated transaminase levels, or gastrointestinal intolerance with higher doses of other lipid-lowering agents. Total cholesterol decreased by 15% (-36 +/- 28 mg/dl, p <0.001) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 20% (-30 +/- 25 mg/dl, p <0.001) during 58 +/- 50 days of treatment. Most patients (85%) tolerated the treatment, and many (48%) achieved their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals. In conclusion, thrice-weekly ezetimibe decreases total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and is well tolerated. It is a viable treatment for patients intolerant of other lipid-lowering medications.
authors.affiliation: Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: Carmelo V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Venero
authors.forename: Jose V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Venero
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Seip
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001384:Azetidines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D000069438:Ezetimibe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001384:Azetidines; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D002784:Cholesterol; D000069438:Ezetimibe